Gospel: November 16, 2015

on: November 16, 2015

Lk 18:35-43

When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging. As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what it was, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. Then he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The people in front scolded him, “Be quiet!” but he cried out all the more, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him, and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the man said, “Lord, that I may see!” Jesus said, “Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.” At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.

REFLECTION

Did we realize the change of the name in the text? The people answered the blind man’s question with ‘Jesus of Nazareth’. Instead the beggar cried ‘Jesus, Son of David’. There is great difference. Nazareth was an unknown town of Galilee. ‘Son of David’ was a title of the Messiah. The blind person did not hesitate to call Jesus Messiah even if the crowd was scolding him. In fact, the renown of Jesus was growing and one could perceive already the proximity of his end.

The reaction of Jesus deserves reflection. He does not refuse the messianic title. He wants to approach the blind beggar. He ordered them to bring him and he asked: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The answer of the blind is obvious. We do not know whether he was blind from his birth or no. But his longing for sight was deep and anxious. Jesus stresses the faith of this poor man and the miracle is done. The praise of God explodes in the general joy.

As Christians, are we capable to call Jesus, Son of God, and invoke our needs with full faith?